Evening settled differently here.
Softer.
Slower.
The sky melted from gold into deep shades of violet and blue, the last traces of sunlight stretching across the ocean before disappearing completely. Lights flickered on around the villa and along the distant shoreline, warm and inviting.
Inside—
Leah stood in front of the mirror again.
Not like yesterday.
Not nervous.
Not uncertain.
Just… calm.
Her fingers smoothed lightly over the fabric of her dress. It was simple—light, flowing, perfect for the warm evening air. Her hair fell naturally over her shoulders, slightly damp from the earlier shower.
She tilted her head slightly.
Studying herself.
Then—
"Izana, if you keep staring like that, I'm going to start charging you."
A quiet pause behind her.
"I would pay."
Leah smiled faintly, meeting his gaze through the mirror.
He stood near the doorway, arms loosely at his sides, already dressed. Dark shirt. Clean. Sharp. Effortless in a way that didn't even try.
But his eyes—
They hadn't left her.
"Have you been standing there the whole time?" she asked.
"Yes."
"And just watching me?"
"Yes."
Leah let out a small laugh.
"You're unbelievable."
"Can't I look at my wife?."
She turned to face him fully.
"You've seen me all day."
Izana stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
"Not like this."
Leah's breath hitched—just slightly.
Then she shook her head, smiling to cover it.
"Come on," she said, grabbing his hand. "Let's go before you decide to just stare at me all night."
"I might."
"I know."
—
The bar wasn't loud.
Not overwhelming.
Just alive.
Soft music played in the background, low conversations blending with the distant sound of waves. Warm lights hung overhead, casting everything in a golden glow.
Leah's eyes lit up almost immediately.
"This place is nice."
Izana glanced around once.
Then back at her.
"It's acceptable."
She laughed.
"That's your highest compliment, isn't it?"
"Yes."
They found a table near the edge, not too crowded but still part of the atmosphere. Leah sat across from him, resting her chin lightly on her hand.
"You're doing it again."
Izana didn't look away.
"Doing what?"
"Staring."
"I'm looking."
"At me."
"Yes."
Leah shook her head, smiling.
"You're not even trying to hide it."
"I see no reason to."
She leaned back slightly.
"You're not even drinking."
"I'm observing."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"That's suspicious."
"It's efficient."
She laughed softly.
"You're impossible."
A pause.
Then—
"I'm here with you."
Her expression softened.
"…Yeah."
She glanced toward the bar.
"I'll grab us something."
Izana's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I can—. "
"I know you can," she cut in gently. "But I want to."
A small pause.
Then he nodded once.
"…Don't not take long."
Leah smiled.
"Yes, Iz."
And she walked off.
—
At the bar—
Leah leaned lightly against the counter, waiting.
The bartender nodded at her.
"What can I get you?"
She started ordering—
And didn't notice at first when someone stepped beside her.
"Hey."
She glanced over.
A man.
Then another just behind him.
Friendly enough.
But too close.
"You here alone?" the first one asked.
Leah shook her head lightly.
"No."
He smiled.
"Could've fooled me."
She stayed calm.
Polite.
"My husband's over there."
She gestured vaguely behind her.
They glanced briefly—
But not long enough.
"Didn't see him."
"He's there."
Another small smile.
Controlled.
"I'm just getting drinks."
The second one leaned slightly.
"You sure you don't want company?"
Leah's expression didn't change.
"I'm sure."
The first one chuckled.
"Can't blame us for trying."
She didn't respond this time.
Just turned slightly back toward the counter.
Creating distance without making a scene.
But they didn't fully leave.
—
Across the room—
Izana hadn't moved.
Not once.
His posture remained the same.
Calm.
Still.
But his eyes—
Locked.
Completely.
On her.
On them.
On the way they stood too close.
On the way one of them leaned in slightly.
His jaw tightened.
Just once.
Then relaxed.
His fingers tapped once against the table.
Then stopped.
He watched.
Measured.
Waited.
Leah handled herself well.
He saw that.
He knew that.
But they didn't leave.
And that—
That was enough.
Izana stood.
—
Back at the bar—
Leah took the drinks as they were handed to her.
"Thanks," she said.
"You don't have to rush off," one of the men added.
She turned slightly.
"I do."
And then—
A hand settled at her waist.
Warm.
Firm.
Certain.
Leah stilled—
Then relaxed instantly.
Izana.
He didn't look at her first.
His gaze settled on the men.
Calm.
Flat.
Unreadable.
"She's not alone."
His voice was quiet.
But it carried.
Both men straightened slightly.
One of them let out a small laugh.
"Hey, man—no harm—. "
"You should leave."
Still calm.
Still controlled.
But final.
Something in his tone shifted the air.
Not louder.
Just… heavier.
The men glanced at each other.
Then back at him.
And whatever they saw—
It was enough.
"Yeah. Alright."
They stepped back.
Then walked off.
Just like that.
No argument.
No scene.
Just gone.
—
Silence lingered for a second.
Then—
Leah turned slightly in his hold.
Looking up at him.
"You got jealous."
Izana didn't look away from where the men had disappeared.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"…Yes."
Leah smiled faintly.
"I knew it."
His hand didn't leave her waist.
"They were persistent."
"You waited."
"I was assessing."
She tilted her head.
"You were glaring."
"I was observing."
Leah laughed quietly.
Then—
Her expression softened.
"You didn't trust me?"
That made him look at her.
Fully.
His gaze steadied.
"I trust you."
A pause.
"I don't trust them."
Leah held his gaze.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
She stepped a little closer.
Not pulling away from his hold.
"You know I wouldn't—. "
"I know."
He didn't let her finish.
Didn't need to.
That mattered more than anything else.
Leah smiled softly.
Then nudged him lightly.
"Good."
Izana's hand shifted slightly at her waist.
Not tighter.
Just… there.
Grounding.
"Stay with me," he said quietly.
Leah's smile didn't fade.
"I was always with you."
—
They returned to the table together.
This time—
Leah sat closer.
Not across.
Beside him.
Their shoulders brushing lightly.
The drinks rested untouched for a moment.
Then—
Leah leaned in slightly.
"…You're definitely possessive Iz tonight."
A pause.
Then—
Izana glanced at her.
"…Only tonight?"
Leah grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
He didn't respond.
But his hand found hers beneath the table.
Intertwining their fingers.
Firm.
Certain.
And he didn't let go.
—
They didn't stay much longer.
Not because they had to leave.
But because they didn't need to stay.
Outside—
The night air was cooler.
The sound of the ocean louder now.
Leah walked beside him, her hand still in his.
Swinging slightly between them.
"You scared them, you know."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"They left."
"Exactly."
Izana exhaled quietly.
"That was the intention."
Leah laughed softly.
Then slowed slightly.
Turning toward him.
"…You know I can handle myself."
"I know."
"But you still came."
"Yes."
A pause.
Then softer—
"I will always come."
Leah's expression shifted.
Warmer.
Deeper.
She stepped closer.
Resting her hand lightly against his chest.
"…I like that."
Izana's gaze softened.
Just slightly.
Then—
He leaned down.
Pressed a quiet kiss to her forehead.
Not rushed.
Not demanding.
Just there.
Leah closed her eyes briefly.
Then smiled.
"Come on, Iz."
She tugged his hand gently.
"Let's go back."
He followed.
Of course he did.
Because no matter where they went—
No matter who looked—
No matter what happened—
He was already exactly where he wanted to be.
With her.